Patrick Fruits

Patrick L. Fruits, 48, rode his motorcycle off into the sunset on April 10, 2009 after he lost his 10 year battle with cancer.

Patrick (Pat) had many loved family members and friends.  Many joined him in a game of golf, a motorcycle ride or a fishing expedition.  He also enjoyed quilting, cooking, and photography and loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle “Betty” and to drive his truck “Ronnie”.  Patrick made friends easily and once he made a friend they became a friend for life.  His wife often said that when they went shopping together and there was only one other person in the store, he came away often knowing their name and always knowing a little about their life.

Patrick was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 1, 1960.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served onboard the USS Nassau.  He received his Bachelors in Business Administration from Baker University.  Patrick was a Warehouse Manager for the U.S. Postal Service in Topeka.

Patrick will be greatly missed by his family and friends but mostly by his wife, Michele James, parents James and Carol Fruits of Topeka, his brothers; Kent Fruits of Topeka, Troy Fruits of Auburn, Mike Layne of Iola, Bob Mainey of Topeka and sisters; Sonja (Steve) Kramer of Topeka, Tammara Fruits of Overland Park, Ks. and Debra (Ron) Tucker of Auburn as well as many nieces and nephews.  Patrick lovingly shared the last 30 years of his life with In–laws; Cheryl Hutley, Stan Hutley, Janet and John Adame and their children; Melanie (Bryan) Fitzpatrick and Shannon Adame and their children, Brandon, Trey, Sydney and Trenton.  Patrick was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Mary Joann Hutley.

Patrick will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Monday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m.  Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home.  Interment will be in West Lawn Memorial Gardens with military honors by Philip Billard Post #1650 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.brennanmathenafh.com.